It's been overcast and rainy the past several days, but at least today the winds have died down some. With a breeze of roughly 10 mph out of the NNE and temperatures in the mid-50s, a 15 degree drop from yesterday, I decided to go out onto the lake around 3:30 p.m.
Last winter I decided come open-water season that I'd fish as much as possible with artificial bait and I've stuck to that for the most part. Today I used a 1/4 ounce Fin-tech original Nuckle Ball jig in a green/chartreuse color, tipped with Gulp Alive! 3" leeches. I was drifting off Second Duck Point and caught 3 nice perch, which all went back into the lake.
Around 5:30 p.m., I decided to change tactics and started trolling with the hot steel-colored Rapala Minnow Rap. I love this lure and it always produces for me. Trolling back and forth from Second Duck Point to our cabin I caught a small northern pike, a 21-inch walleye (released) and a beautiful 17" walleye which I kept for a later dinner. I pulled onto the boat lift around 7:00 p.m.
There are many ways to use a Minnow Rap, casting, trolling, using it with a planer board, or even on the end of lead-core line. My preferred method is to tie a Berkley Cross-Lok snap swivel, which can be purchased at Cabela's, onto the end of Berkley 14-pound test Fireline Crystal line. I've found that even when I catch a bigger fish, such as a tiger muskie or a big northern, the 14-pound test is more than strong enough to haul them up to the boat.
I've also done my own testing and have found the Fireline Crystal to be much harder to see in the water than the regular Fireline (in either smoke or flame green). How the walleye actually see it is anybody's guess, but it seems to work for me.
Now I know a lot of guys like tying their lure directly to the line without a swivel, but I've found that with a swivel I virtually eliminate any line twist. Plus, the Cross-Lok snap swivels are much stronger than the safety-pin varieties of swivels. Again, these are my personal preferences, and they work well for me.
It's still early in the season, but I've already replaced the two original treble hooks on my Minnow Rap with new Gamakatsu red round-bend treble hooks. Keeping sharp hooks on your lures is a must.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
June 9, 2008
The winds today were strong, 15-20 mph, out of the southwest, with gusts nearing 30 mph. Rain fell most of the day and the temps hovered around 70 degrees. As the day progressed, the winds shifted to the west, but were no less strong.
I did not go fishing today.
I did not go fishing today.
Friday, December 12, 2008
June 8, 2008
NOTE: I spent six months this past summer at Leech Lake fishing and enjoying the northwoods. I am now back in California and am making these posts from the notes I took in my "fishing journal."
Today is my parent's 51st wedding anniversary. Last year we had a big celebration at their house outside of Chicago (yes my parents are FIBs), but this year I celebrated their anniversary by going fishing on Leech Lake.
I decided to start early and was on the water at 7 a.m. I began my day at Second Duck Point using a combination of drifting -- there was a slight breeze from the south -- and trolling using my MinnKota Maxxum Pro electric trolling motor. The water temperature was 62 degrees and the air temp was slightly warmer at 65 degrees.
I fished for three hours, but was only able to pick up one 13" walleye. I was using a Northland Gum-Ball "neon-toned" jig tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech. Even though my morning venture onto the lake wasn't as successful as I would have liked, it was great to be on the water again after being shore-bound for three days due to inclement weather.
My second trip of the day began at 3:3o p.m. and lasted less than two hours. The temperature had warmed to a pleasant 70 degrees and likewise the water had warmed to 65 degrees. The afternoon sky was had become overcast and it was starting to sprinkle. The winds, however, were still calm, with just a hint of breeze from the south.
My game plan for the afternoon was to troll, using the SmartCraft function of my Mercury Verado outboard motor. It's an amazing option to the Verado motor. It allows me to set the RPM to whatever speed I want, down to a low of 550 RPM. When trolling Rapala Minnow Raps, as I was today, I use the SmartCraft to set the RPM between 580-600 depending on the direction I'm trolling -- faster into the wind, slower with it.
Using my favorite "hot steel" color I picked up a nice 4-5 lb. northern pike, a 16" walleye (which I was tempted to keep, but released) and a 26" tiger muskie, which is a hybrid of a muskellunge and a northern pike. Leech Lake has healthy population of both muskie and northern, so tiger muskies are not rare on the lake; although this was the first time I had actually caught one.
The rain started to pick up around 5:15 p.m. so I decided to head to shore to dry off and have dinner.
Today is my parent's 51st wedding anniversary. Last year we had a big celebration at their house outside of Chicago (yes my parents are FIBs), but this year I celebrated their anniversary by going fishing on Leech Lake.
I decided to start early and was on the water at 7 a.m. I began my day at Second Duck Point using a combination of drifting -- there was a slight breeze from the south -- and trolling using my MinnKota Maxxum Pro electric trolling motor. The water temperature was 62 degrees and the air temp was slightly warmer at 65 degrees.
I fished for three hours, but was only able to pick up one 13" walleye. I was using a Northland Gum-Ball "neon-toned" jig tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech. Even though my morning venture onto the lake wasn't as successful as I would have liked, it was great to be on the water again after being shore-bound for three days due to inclement weather.
My second trip of the day began at 3:3o p.m. and lasted less than two hours. The temperature had warmed to a pleasant 70 degrees and likewise the water had warmed to 65 degrees. The afternoon sky was had become overcast and it was starting to sprinkle. The winds, however, were still calm, with just a hint of breeze from the south.
My game plan for the afternoon was to troll, using the SmartCraft function of my Mercury Verado outboard motor. It's an amazing option to the Verado motor. It allows me to set the RPM to whatever speed I want, down to a low of 550 RPM. When trolling Rapala Minnow Raps, as I was today, I use the SmartCraft to set the RPM between 580-600 depending on the direction I'm trolling -- faster into the wind, slower with it.
Using my favorite "hot steel" color I picked up a nice 4-5 lb. northern pike, a 16" walleye (which I was tempted to keep, but released) and a 26" tiger muskie, which is a hybrid of a muskellunge and a northern pike. Leech Lake has healthy population of both muskie and northern, so tiger muskies are not rare on the lake; although this was the first time I had actually caught one.
The rain started to pick up around 5:15 p.m. so I decided to head to shore to dry off and have dinner.
June 5, 6, and 7, 2008
The winds were high -- near 20 mph out of the NW -- and there were severe thunderstorm warnings off and on for three days. I didn't go fishing any of these days.
Friday, November 28, 2008
June 4, 2008, my rant against the FIBs
I fished for about 2 1/2 hours today, from 2:30 to about 5:00 p.m. The temperature was 56 degrees, almost 10 degrees warmer than yesterday, the winds were 10 mph from ESE, it was very overcast and the water temp was 57 degrees.
My excursion began at "the Birches," where I used a Northland Gum-Ball jig tipped with a Northland Slurpies Swim'N Grub (in firetiger) to catch a couple of jumbo perch, which I released, and a couple of rock bass, which I would never consider keeping. And while I'm on the topic of keeping "junk" fish such as rock bass, let me pontificate for a moment on the people who visit Leech Lake and stay at one of the many resorts that offer access to our Northern Minnesota wonderland.
Many of these "resorters" are what we who own property on the lake refer to as FIB's -- or F^*#ing Illinois, Indiana or Iowa Bastards, which is where many of these people call home. These meat-hunters are here to load up their coolers with as many fish fillets as possible with no regard to the size or species of the fish. I've seen FIB's at Birch Ridge Resort cleaning perch no bigger than 6 or 7 inches. Many FIB's think nothing of keeping 12" walleye, 18" pike, big largemouth bass (these days who eats largemouth bass for goodness sake!!) and of course, the king of junk fish, the rock bass. I know many "dock boys" and "fish cleaners" at the resorts who simply refuse to clean a rock bass. And if they do agree to clean them, it often carries a price double what they charge to clean other fish. I know, the lake is here for everyone to enjoy, but those of us who live here want to see the fishery remain healthy; and most FIB's are a disease we could live without.
Now where was I? Oh yeah. After my jigging efforts at the Birches, I started trolling from the Malays to past Second Duck Point, but landed no fish.
My excursion began at "the Birches," where I used a Northland Gum-Ball jig tipped with a Northland Slurpies Swim'N Grub (in firetiger) to catch a couple of jumbo perch, which I released, and a couple of rock bass, which I would never consider keeping. And while I'm on the topic of keeping "junk" fish such as rock bass, let me pontificate for a moment on the people who visit Leech Lake and stay at one of the many resorts that offer access to our Northern Minnesota wonderland.
Many of these "resorters" are what we who own property on the lake refer to as FIB's -- or F^*#ing Illinois, Indiana or Iowa Bastards, which is where many of these people call home. These meat-hunters are here to load up their coolers with as many fish fillets as possible with no regard to the size or species of the fish. I've seen FIB's at Birch Ridge Resort cleaning perch no bigger than 6 or 7 inches. Many FIB's think nothing of keeping 12" walleye, 18" pike, big largemouth bass (these days who eats largemouth bass for goodness sake!!) and of course, the king of junk fish, the rock bass. I know many "dock boys" and "fish cleaners" at the resorts who simply refuse to clean a rock bass. And if they do agree to clean them, it often carries a price double what they charge to clean other fish. I know, the lake is here for everyone to enjoy, but those of us who live here want to see the fishery remain healthy; and most FIB's are a disease we could live without.
Now where was I? Oh yeah. After my jigging efforts at the Birches, I started trolling from the Malays to past Second Duck Point, but landed no fish.
June 3, 2008
The temperature dropped dramically overnight and only reached a high today of 48 degrees. Winds were relatively light at 5-10 mph out of the ENE, but there was a steady rain all day.
Kathleen is in St. Cloud today visiting her mother, so I decided to lay low and spend the day working around the properties -- clearing fallen tree limbs, trimming dead tree branches, organizing the fish cleaning house, etc.
No fishing today.
Here's a photo of the "cabin," which is next door to the "house." The picture was not taken today, but it's on this property where I spent most of the day.
Kathleen is in St. Cloud today visiting her mother, so I decided to lay low and spend the day working around the properties -- clearing fallen tree limbs, trimming dead tree branches, organizing the fish cleaning house, etc.
No fishing today.
Here's a photo of the "cabin," which is next door to the "house." The picture was not taken today, but it's on this property where I spent most of the day.
June 2, 2008
With winds out of the NNE at 10-12 mph, I thought today would be a good day for drifting Sucker Bay jig fishing for walleye. The temperature during my 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. drift was 58 degrees. The water temperature had cooled slighty over the last few days to 61 degrees.
Using a Parakeet-colored Northland Gum-Ball "neon-tone" jig tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech I caught one small walleye.
The fishing was slow, but it was great to be on the lake. This was the first time this year I'd been on the lake fishing by myself. While I always enjoy fishing with others -- be it Rick or one of my many neighbors/friends -- it's nice to have some solitude on the water. It really gives me time to reflect on the world and my place in it. I don't know if I found any profound answers, but the search was very rewarding.
This evening I went trolling from the Malays to past Second Duck Point. Using my standard "hot steel" Minnow Rap, I hooked a 15 1/2" walleye, several perch, and a northern pike that was almost 30". The winds tonight were calm, the temp was 60 degrees, and the moon was 1% waning, almost a completely new moon.
Using a Parakeet-colored Northland Gum-Ball "neon-tone" jig tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech I caught one small walleye.
The fishing was slow, but it was great to be on the lake. This was the first time this year I'd been on the lake fishing by myself. While I always enjoy fishing with others -- be it Rick or one of my many neighbors/friends -- it's nice to have some solitude on the water. It really gives me time to reflect on the world and my place in it. I don't know if I found any profound answers, but the search was very rewarding.
This evening I went trolling from the Malays to past Second Duck Point. Using my standard "hot steel" Minnow Rap, I hooked a 15 1/2" walleye, several perch, and a northern pike that was almost 30". The winds tonight were calm, the temp was 60 degrees, and the moon was 1% waning, almost a completely new moon.
June 1, 2008
Kathleen and I took Rick to the Bemidji airport today so he could begin his Bemidji-to-Minneapolis-to-LA-to-Sydney-to-Brisbane trip home.
Afterward, we did some grocery shopping and other in-town errands. No fishing today.
Afterward, we did some grocery shopping and other in-town errands. No fishing today.
May 31, 2008
From 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Rick and I fished Bass Bay. We started near the "harbor" entrance just north of Paul Wagner's cabin and worked our way south toward Paulsen's. We were again using Northland Reed-Runner spinner baits. The air temperature was a very pleasant 65 degrees, the water temperature was 60 degrees, the winds were calm and the sky was mostly sunny.
On my second cast of the afternoon something strange happened -- my rod broke. I was using a Shimano Compere baitcasting rod, and when I went to cast the spinner bait the rod just snapped -- right between the second and third line guide. I have no idea why it broke. I did not contact Shimano about the incident since the rod was past its warranty period. It didn't leave a great impression on me regarding the quality of Shimano rods. Usually I use St. Croix rods, made in Park Falls, Wisconsin, for my spinning reels, and maybe I need to switch to St. Croix for my baitcasting rods as well.
I caught one largemouth bass and Rick caught three. Then we decided to head down to Second Duck Point to jig for walleye. We fished that spot for roughly an hour before heading back to the cabin. In that time, Rick caught, and released, a very nice 20" walleye and a small one under 12". Rick was using a silver flash Lindy Techni-Glo Fuzz-E-Grub tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech.
That evening we went out on the water at 9:00 p.m. and fished for about two hours. The air temp had dropped to just under 60 degrees although the water temperature had actually warmed to 62 degrees. The winds were still calm, and the moon was 13% waning. While trolling Minnow Rap crankbaits we caught and released five walleye. I had fish of 14", 15" and 23", while Rick boated 'eyes of 20" and 21". This was to be Rick's last night of fishing. On June 1, Kathleen and I drove him to the Bemidji airport so he could start his long journey home to Brisbane, Australia. See you in the Fall Rick.
On my second cast of the afternoon something strange happened -- my rod broke. I was using a Shimano Compere baitcasting rod, and when I went to cast the spinner bait the rod just snapped -- right between the second and third line guide. I have no idea why it broke. I did not contact Shimano about the incident since the rod was past its warranty period. It didn't leave a great impression on me regarding the quality of Shimano rods. Usually I use St. Croix rods, made in Park Falls, Wisconsin, for my spinning reels, and maybe I need to switch to St. Croix for my baitcasting rods as well.
I caught one largemouth bass and Rick caught three. Then we decided to head down to Second Duck Point to jig for walleye. We fished that spot for roughly an hour before heading back to the cabin. In that time, Rick caught, and released, a very nice 20" walleye and a small one under 12". Rick was using a silver flash Lindy Techni-Glo Fuzz-E-Grub tipped with a 3" Gulp Alive! black leech.
That evening we went out on the water at 9:00 p.m. and fished for about two hours. The air temp had dropped to just under 60 degrees although the water temperature had actually warmed to 62 degrees. The winds were still calm, and the moon was 13% waning. While trolling Minnow Rap crankbaits we caught and released five walleye. I had fish of 14", 15" and 23", while Rick boated 'eyes of 20" and 21". This was to be Rick's last night of fishing. On June 1, Kathleen and I drove him to the Bemidji airport so he could start his long journey home to Brisbane, Australia. See you in the Fall Rick.
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